Dendrobium leonis

Also known as: The Lion in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Cambodia Thailand

General Information

The Lion is a miniature to small sized sympodial hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Cambodia and Thailand.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 10-25cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 1.5-2.5cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 10-23cm. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as pleasant and strong

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 94mm to 262mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 79% to 85%, highest in April and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 22C to 32C, highest in February (23C to 32C) and lowest in January (22C to 31C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Repotting is best done in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.